Better Beginnings
At the beginning of the year, we have the outstanding opportunity to speak to Nancy Duarte on beginnings of presentations. Here are some thoughts that will entice you to think differently about the opening of your next presentation.
Q: Is there a beginning of a presentation that you still remember, even though the event happened long ago?
A: Years ago an executive at Apple drove a motorcyle on and then accidently drove it off the stage into the audience. No one was injured but the entrance had nothing to do with the material and was a disruption. It’s too bad that my most memorable beginning was also the biggest blunder I’ve ever seen too. His presentation took place back when Apple was floundering with their message and technical strategy. Sometimes in the absense of relevant content presenters try to fill the time with gimmicks and icebreakers none of which are effective beginnings or presentations. Audiences deserve better.
Q: When you create your presentations, do you think of the beginning first, or does it take shape later in the process?
A: The first step I take in creating a presentation is to analyze the audience. Ask yourself questions about what a day in their shoes looks like, what makes them likeable, what they are afraid of, how and why might they resist the message. I use this information to identify ways to connect with the audience and make sure the right message is being conveyed. Once I’ve established who they are, what they value and what they fear, I use that as a baseline to identify a way to start the beginning and build a structure that would resonate with them. I have a philosophy about what the components needed at the beginning of a presentation. There are two key things that need to be conveyed before moving on to the body of your message. First, you need to create common ground with the audience. By describing to the audience how you see their world helps establish a connection with them. Once you use the beginning to carefully describe “what is”, the audience will plainly see the gap when you propose your big idea of “what should be”. But if you haven’t described the current state or realities, the uniqueness of you idea would be obscure and unclear. The second thing that has to be established in the beginning is the presenters credibility. Your “entrance” and first impression will either bind you to them or alienate you from them. So making a meaningful connection in a relevent manner is a very critical part of a presentation.
Q: Have you ever created a whole presentation just because one powerful line, image, thought, or feeling inspired you?
A: It’s rare that I get to deliver a presentation from pure inspiration. Usually there’s an objective or speaking assignment that’s being filled. But, I do try to weave some of my own stories and passion into each story and delivery. The humanness of a presentation is what makes it the most compelling communication medium in business so I try to build an inspirational and transparent element into each presentation.
Q: Where could presenters find inspiration for better beginnings?
A: The inspiration for strong beginnings has to come from thinking about the audience. Some audiences would enjoy a hyped-up beginning whereas another audience might find a fact-driven beginning as profound. What’s inspiration to one might be off-putting to another so find your inspiration through thinking about your audience.
The book, ‘Better Beginings’ by Carmen Taran is available from Amazon or from our web site.